The Bittern Award recognises groups, organisations or individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape.

The Bittern Award 2024

The winner of the 2024 Bittern Award is Lynne Farrell.

We’re honoured to present this award to Lynne in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape through monitoring and survey work of plants and invertebrates. In particular this has included organising volunteer surveys for the Species Recovery Plan, supporting others to develop their botanical skills, and spearheading conservation of the Brown Hairstreak butterfly.

There were a high number of nominations this year, and we would also like to recognise the achievements of the following nominees, all of whom will receive a Bittern Certificate:

• Fishwick Farms – recognising over 20 years of sustainable farming at Bank House Farm, Silverdale including management of key nature sites such as The Lots and Jack Scout.
• Paul Barnes – recognising leadership in inspiring the community to take action for climate and nature through the Arnside Wildflower Verges project and the Arnside Wildlife Gardening group.
• Craig McCoy – recognising 11 years as Area Ranger for the National Trust, overseeing the conversation management of National Trust sites within the National Landscape and inspiring a huge number of volunteers, visitors and students.
• Peter Moreton – recognising volunteer work as an ambassador for Swifts, in particular setting up local volunteer groups to coordinate monitoring of Swifts, protecting nest sites and inspiring others to take action for Swifts.
• Bob Pickup – recognising many years of volunteering contributing to the  conservation management of Teddy Heights, Coldwell and Guard Hill nature reserves.
• Jarrod Sneyd – recognising tireless efforts to bring a wide range of stakeholders together and to enthuse them about the concept of Bigger, Better and more Connected habitats for nature.
• Feleena Taylor – recognising continued leadership of the Walks for All programme and for being an inspiring advocate for accessibility in the National Landscape.

The Bittern Youth Award 2024

This year we have also introduced a Youth Award, to recognise the contributions of young people who go above and beyond in their contribution to conserving and enhancing the National Landscape.

We are delighted to announce that the winner of the first Bittern Youth Award is Warton Eco Gang.

This award recognises their outstanding contribution to Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape through tackling environmental issues and taking inspirational positive action in the Warton community

We would also like to recognise the achievements of Arnside School Eco Group, who were nominated for their inspiring enthusiasm and hard work to raise awareness of environmental issues and take inclusive positive action for climate and nature. The Arnside School Eco Group members will all receive a Bittern Certificate.

Past recipients include:

2023 Steve Porter – for inspiring the community of Arnside to take action for biodiversity,  in particular his work to enhance verges and greenspaces in the village involving Arnside Primary School and many others.

2022 Cllr Brian Meakin – for his longstanding commitment as Arnside & Silverdale AONB Executive Committee Chair.

2021 The Back On Our Map Project (BOOM) – for their work on species reintroductions within the AONB.

2020 Simon Whorrall and the Arnside Volunteer Group – for their work supporting the community during the pandemic

2019 Feleena Taylor – for all her work setting up the Arnside & Silverdale AONB ‘Walks for All’ programme

2018 Tony Riden – for his enormous contribution to the AONB during his time as the AONB Countryside Officer

2017 Bill Grayson – for 25 years working as a conservation grazing farmer in Arnside & Silverdale AONB

2016 Rob Petley-Jones  – for his outstanding work at Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve to ensure that this special limestone landscape has been managed in a way that conserves its iconic habitats and species.

2015 Peter Standing – for his work managing the Arnside/Silverdale AONB Landscape Trust’s annual event programme since 2010; attracting, entertaining and informing many local people and visitors to the area.

2014 Barry Ayre – for his outstanding contribution over many years including his work compiling an historical archive and also as editor of Keer to Kent

2013 David Mower – for his work as Warden at RSPB Leighton Moss and outstanding commitment to nature conservation in the AONB

2012 Ann Kitchen – for her work as Chair of the Bittern Community Interest Company, in particular for setting up the AONB community solar photovoltaics initiative; and also her longstanding contribution to biodiversity recording as part of the Arnside Natural History Society

2011 Peter Goulder and Sheila Porter – for their work to restore an important heritage orchard within the AONB and for hosting the ever popular AONB Apple Days

2010 Martin Wain and Butterfly Conservation – for their work to conserve High Brown Fritillary butterflies in the AONB

2009 Arthur Boswell – for his many years service as an AONB volunteer

2008 Colin Peacock – for his longstanding commitment as AONB Executive Committee Chairman and involvement in the governance of the AONB since its designation